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December 3, 2013

Jacoby Ellsbury Joins The Yankees, With 7/153 Deal

According to sources, free agent Jacoby Ellsbury has agreed to a 7/153 contract with the New York Yankees. There is an option for an eighth year (2021) that could bring the total value to $169 million.

I knew 2013 would be Ellsbury's last season in Boston, so his leaving doesn't come as a surprise, but I do wish he'd signed with one of the other 28 teams out there that aren't the Yankees. ... Still, enjoy fourth or fifth place, Jacoby.

Ellsbury was a key member of two World Series champions in Boston, so there won't be any boos from this corner. The contract is a colossal overpay - both in years and dollars - but good for Ellsbury for finding idiots willing to give him everything he wanted. In 2014, the Yankees will pay Ellsbury more than the Red Sox will pay David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia combined. [Not true; see comments]

In fact, this deal is for more money than the much-maligned 7/142 contract the Red Sox gave to Carl Crawford, then 29, three Decembers ago. While Ellsbury will likely give the Yankees some quality seasons during the length of the contract, he is also a guy with a career 108 OPS+.

Also: There are reports that Jarrod Saltalamacchia has signed a 3/21 contract with the Marlins.

In 2014, the Yankees will pay Ellsbury more than the Red Sox will pay David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia combined.

That's been reported but is wrong. Per Cot's, Pedroia's mid-season extension will pay him $12.5MM in 2014, and Papi gets $15MM because he spent 20 or fewer days on the DL with his pre-existing Achilles tendon injury in 2013. Combined they're earning $27.5MM, while Ellsbury will be averaging $21.86MM.